Herbs
BY ROD MICHAEL
The new growing and grilling season is upon us . Nothing is more fun , OR easy to grow and incorporate into a sumptuous meal , than an Herb .
qbest part about growing herbs is that you don ’ t
have to use environmentally disruptive chemicals to protect them and they can be grown in a myriad of locations . Herbs predate written history . The use of herbs was less for cooking and more so , as a response to the harmful potential of foodborne pathogens . As a result , the tropical environments where pathogens are more prevalent , have been then source of the world ’ s spiciest foods .
Clay tablets that have been discovered dating back over 5000 years , list hundreds of medicinal plants and many are the herbs we know today . Herbs can be ingested whole to treat injuries and illness . They can be applied topically as a skin treatment with essential oil extracts to create creams , lotions , balms , salves , soaps and oils . Herbs can be used in aromatherapy to combat pain and anxiety while reducing stress and promoting relaxation through the olfactory senses .
So , lets get back to growing , harvesting and cooking with herbs . Many herbs can be grown all year round and will save you from buying expensive supermarket produce . When creating your herb garden you must decide what herbs you are going to grow and which herbs are annual , biennial or perennial .
Ideally herbs should be grown in a sunny , sheltered location with well drained soil . If you have heavy clay soil , then you ’ ll have to incorporate some grit , organic matter , rotted manure or some compost . You may to elect to grow some herbs in a raised bed to ensure good drainage , but they can be grown in containers , if space is a consideration . Your containers can be used inside or out . If you have the space I would highly recommend a dedicated herb garden . If you do not have the space you can elect to grow them amongst your flowers , being that they come in an array of different foliage and flower colors and they can be both decorative and for culinary purposes . Don ’ t forget that the best soil pH for growing herbs is neutral to alkaline although most herbs will tolerate a slightly acidic soil .
Growing herbs in pots and containers as I said , is a great way to grow fresh produce , if space is limited . Place them outside your back door for easy harvesting when cooking . I have a mixed herb container right near my grill . Choose relatively deep pots especially for large shrubby herbs such as rosemary or sage . The best compost to grow herbs in is loam-based . Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer and don ’ t over-feed . Make sure you have drainage holes to prevent water logging .
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